This question popped into my brain after reading an older post from a friend of mine - fellow author Peter J. Story.
His post says:
"Faith in yourself is a tricky subject, especially without higher faith in a greater power. However, I find that faith can apply fairly evenly across the spectrum of authors of varying religions or lack thereof. Personally, faith in myself translates into two primary elements.
First of all, it’s faith that I’m a skilled writer. The best writer? No–I couldn’t care less who is, which means it’s not me, and that takes a load off all on its own. Skilled enough to disregard further learning? Of course not–I’m of the firm belief that no matter how adept humans get at any given talent, there’s always room to grow. So, with that out of the way, I can have faith in the simple truth that I can group words in a sensible way to tell a story very well.
Secondly, I know that whatever I desire to write, if it interests me enough to write it, then someone else out there will be interested in reading it. And likewise, if it’s interesting enough to me, there should be a large number of others out there who want it."
It made me think about my own writings - both comic book and novel. Are there people that are interested in what I have to say, interested enough to pay the few dollars to buy the book?
I'm not talking about my friends that say, "Oh, sweet, this guy I know and (like, love, think fondly of) I writing a book. Let's show pity on my (sibling, spouse, acquaintance) and buy his book. It's just a few dollars, so it's not like I'm losing much if it turns out to be a flop." (See, even the way I talk about the things my friends and family think of me have that same negative connotation. Shows the doubt I have in myself…)
I'm talking about the people that are browsing Amazon, searching the internet, or looking through this site. They see the book or comic books, and think, "That could be interesting…" These are the people I'm not sure my writing is good enough for.
I have no doubt that this plagues just about every writer, artist, and actor out there. Sylvia Plath, probably one of the greatest female American novelists of all times, said: “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
That is definitely the enemy that I am struggling with as I work towards getting my book and comic books ready for publishing. I have no doubt that many of the other authors sharing cyberspace with me are struggling with the same thing.
What helps me shut down that stupid inner voice that makes me worry about failure?
Aside from simply ignoring it, here's a great thought from a wise man: “Writing is finally about one thing: going into a room alone and doing it. Putting words on paper that have never been there in quite that way before. And although you are physically by yourself, the haunting Demon never leaves you, that Demon being the knowledge of your own terrible limitations, your hopeless inadequacy, the impossibility of ever getting it right. No matter how diamond-bright your ideas are dancing in your brain, on paper they are earthbound.” -- William Goldman
Or, on a slightly less maudlin note:
"You do not need to pay attention to those voices within you that create pain, or make you feel less competent, smart or able.” -- Sanaya Roman
